45th Annual Flower Day At Detroit's Eastern Market
DETROIT (WWJ) - The Metropolitan Detroit Flower Growers Association and Eastern Market Corporation are partnering once again to host the most spectacular flower event in Michigan. The 45th Annual Flower Day is Sunday, May 15th, from 7:00 am until 5:00 pm.
Flower Day draws over 150,000 green thumbs, flower aficionados, photographers and more to Eastern Market each year creating the largest event of its kind in Michigan.
Hundreds of flower, plant and tree growers from Michigan, Ohio and Canada will fill Eastern Market with over a million of the highest quality annuals, perennials, foliage, shrubbery, trees, exotics, tropical plants, flats, hanging baskets and combination pots for purchase.
Dave Festig, owner of "The Pottery Guy" in Shed 1, said Flower Day is a sight to behold.
"It's the biggest single day of the year, just in terms of the number of people down here. We'll get 100,000 people for the day, wandering the streets and enjoying the party," Festig said.
At Flower Day, you'll be able to find a variety or garden items from clay pottery of all sizes, shapes and colors, to garden ornaments made from some of the least-expected items.
"There's a woman who's just a little nuts. She takes silverware and kitchen utensils, golf clubs, and turns them into insects. But, it's probably our best selling item," Festig said.
Even if you're not looking to buy anything, you'll be face to face with experts who can answer questions and make recommendations about what to plant in various sun and soil conditions.
In fact, many who attend Flower Day aren't interested in flowers or gardening, they just show up for the fun and entertainment.
"A lot of people don't even buy anything, they just come for the big festival. There are food vendors and music. The streets are closed and everybody just wanders and has a great time," Festig said.
In addition to shopping for garden and home, there will be a wide array of special activities including four stages with local live entertainment, featuring Luther "Badman" Keith, The Gratitude Steel Drum Band, Crisis Clown and Bert's Market Place.
You can also enter the 12th Annual Wacky Wagon contest. Contestants are encouraged to decorate their wagons and compete for prizes in three themed categories: Best of Detroit Agriculture Wagon, Best Going Green Wagon, and Best Youth Created Wagon. The contest opens at 9:00 am and the winners are announced at 1:00 pm. Contestants must be present to win.
Artisan Village will be open along with a majority of your favorite Eastern Market retail stores. Restaurants will be open for business and are even showcasing additional food and produce vendors to appease your palate.
Children's Merry Market Land will include all free activities such as Dan Dan the Choo Choo Man train rides, Carousel Acres Petting Zoo, a coloring station, face painting and more.
Two free pick-up/drop-off locations are available to check in your purchases so you can go back as many times as you want to keep on buying. Once you are done, simply drive up to the locations and volunteers will help you load you vehicle.
"Flower Day demonstrates the full potential of Eastern Market," said Dan Carmody, President of the Eastern Market Corporation. "While Flower Day will remain our largest event, our plans include making every Saturday more of an event by hosting weekly cooking demonstrations, presenting more entertainment and more activities for people of all ages."
The Flower Day tradition began in 1965 when local flower growers sought a way to increase sales in the Detroit area. In order to increase awareness and availability of their plants, the group began displaying their greenery at Eastern Market on the Sunday between Mother's Day and Memorial Day.
The tradition grew, and the abundance of flowers and plants for sale transformed Flower Day into the largest event of its kind in Michigan.
"We're making Detroit beautiful, one backyard at a time," said Festig.
Eastern Market is located between Gratiot and Mack, bordered by Orleans and I-75 service drive just northeast of downtown Detroit.
For more information, visit www.detroiteasternmarket.com or call 313-833-9300.
